At least 29 killed, including 28 students, in Peshawar school roof collapse

At least 29 people, including 28 students and a female teacher, were killed when the roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar’s Afridi Abad locality on Thursday. The deceased were primarily between the ages of seven and 16, with the youngest victims being just eight years old. One death was reported from Peshawar’s Naseerullah Khan Babar Memorial Hospital, while the Lady Reading Hospital recorded 28 fatalities. A female teacher among the victims was confirmed by Lady Reading Hospital spokesperson Muhammad Asim.

Rescue operations were successfully completed, with Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Afaq Wazir stating that all debris had been cleared and no further injured children remained at the scene. Rescue teams had gathered following reports that the ceiling had fallen on students during their classroom hours, with the building's structure being described as weak. Its roof was deemed to be overloaded due to additional construction work on a foundation deemed weak.

Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling for a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the collapse. He directed authorities to ensure the safety of educational institutions across the province by conducting a structural safety audit. KP Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed ordered the Peshawar CCPO to oversee the rescue operations and establish a green corridor for unimpeded ambulance movement.

Relatives of the victims shared their distress, with Samiullah recounting how he had rescued three young girls from the rubble. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement, expressed profound grief and sorrow over the tragedy, calling for immediate assistance to the injured and the implementation of stricter safety measures in schools. President Asif Ali Zardari also conveyed his profound shock and grief, directing authorities to provide top-notch medical care to the injured and extend support to the affected families.